No start issue on 83 FJ40

[85fr16]

I have been having trouble with my 83. First it seemed like something was draining the brand new battery, then the fuseable link burned off ( I temporally replaced it with a inline fuse and that seemed to work, but the battery still drained down) Now I have the battery charged up and it turned over real fast but would not fire and now it seems like the starter wont engage ( I suppose I overheated the starter) what is my original problem?
Help

 

[CruiserStuff]

Post some pics of what you're working with....it'll give everybody a better idea. What do you mean by "the starter won't engage?" So, if I'm hearing you right, with the battery charged, the engine cranks, but doesn't fire, right? Need a little more info.....

 

[85fr16]

It did crank and would not fire, now the starter just clicks and the battery seems charged( the lights don't dim when I hit the starter, but it did low the fuse where I replaced the fuseable link).

 

[John Smith]

Sounds like you have a major short somewhere in your harness. Blowing the fusible link and fuses is a pretty good indication.

 

[Texx]

So, once the starter is turning the engine again, have you checked for spark, compression and fuel?

 

[85fr16]

It is not turning it now and I did not check it.

I was thinking the ignition switch may have a short? Is this hard to change?